Trying to get tickets to a hot concert or sporting event through Ticketmaster can be incredibly frustrating. As soon as tickets go on sale, fans rush to buy tickets online and get placed into an online waiting room or queue. This is done to prevent Ticketmaster’s servers from crashing due to too many requests at once. But does your place in line reset if you refresh while waiting in the Ticketmaster queue? Let’s take a detailed look at how Ticketmaster’s queue system works.
How Ticketmaster’s Queue System Works
Here’s a quick overview of how Ticketmaster handles high demand events:
- Fans attempting to buy tickets get placed in a virtual waiting room or queue.
- Your spot is held in line on Ticketmaster’s servers.
- You wait in the queue until it’s your turn to enter the ticket-buying process.
- Once in, you have a limited time (usually around 10 minutes) to search for and buy tickets.
This queue system helps control traffic surges and prevent website outages when ticket demand far exceeds supply. It essentially acts as a throttling mechanism, only allowing a set number of users through at a time to buy tickets.
Does Your Place In Line Reset If You Refresh?
The most common question fans have is whether refreshing or closing the browser will reset your place in line. The short answer is no, your spot is held server-side and will not reset.
Your virtual “line position” gets generated when you first land on the Ticketmaster queue page after clicking to buy tickets. This spot gets held in Ticketmaster’s queue database and tied to your device’s IP address and other identifiers.
So you can refresh or even close and re-open your browser completely and still come back to the same spot in line. Your place will not reset.
However, there are some caveats…
When Your Place In Line Can Reset
While refreshing generally won’t reset your place, here are some cases where your line position can get reset:
- You clear your browser cookies and site data – This wipes out the identifiers Ticketmaster uses to hold your spot.
- You switch web browsers or devices – Your spot is tied to your IP address and browser fingerprints, so switching may reset you.
- Your internet connection drops – Losing connectivity could break the session and marker holding your place.
- You sit idle too long – If you don’t interact with the page for an extended time, you may get moved back.
So while refreshing is technically safe, you don’t want to make major changes to your browser session or connection once in line. Interact with the page periodically to keep your spot.
Tips for Not Losing Your Place in Line
Here are some tips to avoid having your line position reset while waiting in the Ticketmaster queue:
1. Don’t Clear Cookies or Browser Data
Avoid clearing your cookies, cache, or browsing history while in line. This data helps Ticketmaster identify and keep your spot held. Clearing it will wipe out your place markers.
2. Use the Same Browser and Device
Don’t switch devices or browsers after joining the queue. Try to use the same device and browser you started with to finish the purchase. Your spot is tied to your browser fingerprint.
3. Stay Connected to the Internet
Don’t allow your internet connection to drop, as this could reset your session. Use a strong, stable Wifi or wired connection if possible.
4. Periodically Interact With the Page
Don’t stay idle on the queue page too long without interacting. Occasionally click around or refresh so Ticketmaster knows you’re still there.
5. Don’t Navigate Away or Open Other Tabs
Focus on only the Ticketmaster tab until it’s your turn to shop. Navigating elsewhere can disrupt your place in line.
6. Don’t Use “Incognito” or “Private” Mode
Avoid using incognito/private browsing, as Ticketmaster may not be able to save and retrieve your spot using this mode.
7. Check Ticketmaster’s Updates
Keep an eye on the updates Ticketmaster provides in the queue to be aware of any technical issues or early sell outs.
What to Do If You Lose Your Place
If you do end up losing your place unfairly, here are some things you can try:
- Refresh and see if you get back in your spot.
- Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support for help.
- Try alternate sale channels like the box office.
- Consider using a ticket reseller if needed.
While frustrating, remember that website queues are designed to create the fairest and most reliable buying experience possible.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key things to remember about Ticketmaster’s queue system:
- Your place in line is held on Ticketmaster’s servers, not locally on your device.
- You can refresh without losing your spot, but make no major browser/connection changes.
- Stick to the same device and browser throughout the process.
- Interact periodically so Ticketmaster knows you’re still waiting.
- Don’t clear cookies, switch browsers, or lose internet.
While not a flawless system, Ticketmaster’s queue generally works as intended to facilitate fair access during high demand. With some patience and by avoiding common mistakes, fans can successfully navigate the queues and purchase tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does refreshing the page reset your place in line?
Generally no, refreshing the browser page will not reset your place in Ticketmaster’s virtual queue line. Your spot is held on Ticketmaster’s servers and refreshing doesn’t affect it.
Can you change browsers and keep your spot?
It’s not recommended, as your queue position is tied to browser details like cookies. Switching browsers mid-queue risks resetting your spot.
What happens if you accidentally close the browser?
As long as you haven’t cleared cookies, you should be able to open the browser again and resume your spot. Closing the window alone doesn’t reset your place.
Does using incognito or private mode reset your place in line?
It can. Private browsing prevents Ticketmaster from saving the cookies and data needed to hold your spot. Avoid incognito/private modes.
Can you queue on multiple devices to get through faster?
No, Ticketmaster’s system only allows one queue position per user. Any duplicate accounts or devices get removed.
What happens if your internet disconnects while waiting?
You risk having your session and queue spot reset if you temporarily lose connectivity. Use a stable, reliable internet connection.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s virtual waiting room queue is designed to be a fair system for high demand events. While frustrating, your best move is to be patient, avoid browser changes, periodically interact with the page, and don’t refresh excessively. Follow Ticketmaster’s tips and FAQs to ensure you don’t lose your coveted place in line.